ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE VULANI ISLANDS RESORT SABETO, NADI

Report prepared for Tonkin and Taylor International by Sepeti Matararaba, and Elia Nakoro, October 2006 The Archaeology Department, Fiji Museum

Suva, Fiji

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SYNOPSIS………………………………………………………………………….3

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT…………………………………………………………..3

PART 1: INTRODUCTTION

Method…………………………………………………………………..4

1.1 Duration of Evaluation Field Work……………………………………..4

1.2 Purpose of the Plan……………………………………………………...4

PART 2: SURVEY PREPARATION AND UNDERTAKINGS

2. 1 Site Visits………………………………………………………………..5

PART 3: ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE DESCRIPTIONS

3.1 Site ID…………………………………………………………………..5

PART 4: CONCLUSIONS………………………………………………………….8

PART 5: RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………………………………8

BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………………...9

APPENDIX 1: Photographs and Maps……………………………………………...10

ORAL HISTORY …………………………………………………………………..11

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SYNOPSIS

Tonkin and Taylor International, the agency conducting the Environmental Impact

Assessment at Vulani, Sabeto commissioned the Fiji Museum to conduct an

Archaeological Impact Assessment survey. An assessment was carried out on the island

of Vulani which traditionally belonged to the people of the Yavusa Leiwavuwavu of

Sabeto village. A number of options as management recommendations were made. They

are listed below:

a) Developers to consult relevant organizations such as the Fiji Museum, Native

Land Commission and the Lands Department regarding sites found in the project

area.

b) Developers to consult the Archaeology Department initially before undertaking

any major work.

c) Developers and the Liuliu Ni Yavusa (Head of the clan) to liaise closely while

work are in progress.

d) Sites identified to be monitored, maintained and used as an attraction.

e) Sites identified to be cleared, and fenced for protection against any other human

or natural disturbances.

f) The Fiji Museum needs to be consulted if any evidence of occupation is found

while work is in progress.

THE FIJI MUSEUM ACT; POAPI

The Fiji Museum is a statutory body that is governed by the Fiji Museum1 Act and the

Preservation of Object2 of Archaeological and Palaeontological Interest Act. The

Archaeology Department at the Fiji Museum utilizes the Act in all its operation with the

aim of identifying, protecting and conserving archaeological and cultural heritage for the

current and future generations.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Fiji Museum acknowledges the participation of the members of the village of

Narokorokoyawa, Sabeto who are the traditional landowners, especially Rt. Apisalome

Savu (Clan chief) and his family for their assistance and hospitality during the course of

the fieldwork and also to Mr. Kolinio Naulago (Director Development Committee for

Leiwavuwavu Clan) for the provision of transport.

1 Fiji Museum Act (Laws of Fiji, chapter 263)

2 Preservation of Objects of Palaeontological Interest Act: (Laws of Fiji, chapter 264)

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PART 1

INTRODUCTION

The commissioning agents, Tonkin and Taylor International requested the Fiji Museum

to conduct an AIA, to record and assess archaeological or historical sites within the

project area and provide an opinion as to the significance of the Archaeological sites that

exists and which has been identified in the Vulani Islands project area, in consultation

with the villagers. The fieldwork was an evaluation and assessment trip that has resulted

in the compilation of this report.

The island of Vulani lies in the southwest of Viti Levu and situated about 9.3 kilometers

(9.3 km) from the Nadi International Airport. Situated about a kilometer inside from the

main road, the island once used to be a swampy area and covered with mangroves.

An oral history recording with Rt. Apisalome Savu aged 81yrs old, who is the Liuliu ni

Yavusa (Clan chief) for the people of Narokorokoyawa, enabled the team to identify

issues regarding the past and future of these sites.

METHOD

A general survey of the island was carried out together with the sighting and confirmation

of the two fresh water lakes (refer to attached map), which is said to be life sustaining to

the inhabitants of Vulani. Since the old villages (house mounds) are beneath the earth

which was being reclaimed by J S. Hill, they were mapped using a GPS receiver

according to the locations given by the tour guides and our informant on where they used

to be.

Oral tradition for the area was collected in the evenings around the kava bowl from our

informant Rt. Apisalome Savu who gave an account of his ancestors living on the island

and how he is emotionally attached to the island since he grew up on it while looking at

the amount of disturbance that have taken place on the island (refer to attached copy of

oral history).

1.1 DURATION OF FIELD WORK

Since the need for Archaeological Impact Assessment to be carried out was great, The

Fiji Museum Archaeology Department agreed to embark on a three day’s field

assessment since the project area is quite extensive.

1.2 PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

To prepare an archaeological impact assessment report on the island of Vulani, the site

where a proposed hotel development is to be conducted. An overview of the work was to

record and assess archaeological or historical sites within the project area and to provide

an opinion on the significance of the archaeological and culturally important site in the

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project area and recommend appropriate development restrictions and conservation

requirements.

Part 2

SURVEY PREPARATION AND UNDERTAKINGS

2. 1 SITE VISITS

The sites visited on the island include Burenicagi, Matatabu, Gusuivunaniu,

Loboni, Narewa, and Vunavutu. These according to Rt. Apisalome are the old

sites that were once occupied on the island and also of cultural and sacred

significance to the people of Sabeto/Narokorokoyawa.

Currently visible today are two lakes. Surrounded by sea water, these lakes are of

fresh water content and one used to be a breeding ground for eels and fresh water

fish for consumption while the other is where the villagers used to draw water for

their daily needs.

PART 3:

SITE DESCRIPTIONS

3. 1 SITE ID

Lautoka L27/1

1. Site Name – Burenicagi

Site Location

S 17043’44.5” E 177

025’21.5”

Site Description:

Old village site and garden

Site Condition:

Disturbed by reclamation carried out by J S. Hill

Site Significance:

This is a site where the ancestors of Vulani meet in functions

or village gathering. It is also a garden area where they

planted Kumala (sweet potato), Meleni (watermelon), and

vainaviu (pineapple).

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2. Site Name – Gusuivunaniu

Site Location

S 17043’45.7” E 177

025’19.8”

Site Description:

Mouth of the Sabeto River

Site Condition

As a result of the reclamation, sediments from the mouth of

the river have been removed thus causing sedimentation and

the entrance of the river to become shallow.

Site Significance:

This is the mouth of the Sabeto River where the people used

to go out and catch fish.

3. Site Name – Loboni

Site Location

S 17043’13.4” E 177

025’29.6”

Site Condition:

Disturbed by reclamation carried out by J S. Hill

Site Significance: This is where they used to make/extract and cook salt. They

also erected permanent house structures where they live in

during this activity of salt making

4. Site Name – Matatabu

Site Location

S 17043’39.7” E 177

025’36.1”

Site Description:

Sacred site

Site Condition:

Eroded by flood water (the Dilo tree is no longer there and is

now in the river)

Site Significance:

Is said to be the home of their ancestral god, Soutu who is

believed to be a shark god. On the site used to be a Dilo

(Calophyllum inophyllum) tree where a bundle of Yaqona

would be presented and left on the tree if the people wanted

fish.

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5. Site Name – Narewa

Site Location

S 17043’11.4” E 177

026’20.5”

Site Description:

An area of dry land located in the mangroves.

Site Condition:

Covered with thickets of vines, shrubs and grass land and

scattered forest.

Site Significance:

This is where their fore-fathers planted Vau (Hibiscus

tiliaceus) and Voivoi (Pandanus caultivars) for the purpose

of house building

6. Site Name – Vunavutu

Site Location

S 17043’17.3” E 177

026’20.9”

Site Description:

Old village site

Site Condition:

Disturbed by reclamation carried out by J S. Hill

Site Significance: This used to be a place of settlement

7. Site Name – Tobu ni Duna kei na Luya

Site Location

S 17043’37.7” E 177

025’29.6”

Site Description:

Lake

Site Condition:

Circular lake with water Lilly growing on it and a small

island inside.

Site Significance:

This is a lake of freshwater which the people used to breed

eels and fresh water fish for village consumption.

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8. Site Name – Tobu ni Waidranu (Fresh water pond)

Site Location

S 17043’34.1” E 177

025’29.7”

Site Description:

Lake

Site Condition:

Small rectangular lake of about 4m

Site Significance:

This lake of freshwater is very significant since it is being

surrounded by salt or sea water. This lake is what has been

supporting the needs of the people in terms of cooking and

life sustaining.

PART 4:

CONCLUSIONS

During the field visit, as a result of discussions with Rt. Apisalome the team

was able to identify 9 sites that ancestrally belonged to the people of

Narokorokoyawa. Site investigation confirmed six of these sites have been

disturbed and are beneath the reclamation that was carried out by J S. Hill

while the remaining two are in the form of lakes that still exists today. The

Narewa site (refer to map-site 5) was not inspected.

Also outcomes of the field survey were pieces of pottery found scattered

along the beach and also in the mangroves. There was a single piece of

pottery found in the mangroves which has a design on it and according to

most researchers; it would be considered as a carved paddle relief/heavily

incised appliqué ware dating to be between 100BC – 1500AD.

PART 5:

RECOMMENDATIONS

• The two sites identified and are still of existence are the two lakes

(refer to map-sites 2 & 3); both of which hold fresh water. Should

development continue, further work should be undertaken on

determining the practicality of protecting these sites and providing

an interpretation of the importance of the sites. These sites are

important as they are the only cultural evidence and history that is

left of the people of Vulani. This lake of freshwater is very

significant since it is being surrounded by salt or sea water. This

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lake is what has been supporting the needs of the people in terms of

cooking and life sustaining.

• Narewa site (refer to map-site 5) is located in the mangroves and

according to the villagers has remained untouched. The existence

and condition of this site should be confirmed. If the site still exists

further work should be undertaken on determining the practicality of

protecting the sites and providing an interpretation of the

importance of the site. .

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Figure 2: Vulani Islands (inset)

APPENDIX 1: MAP OF VITI LEVU

Figure 1: Map showing the location of Vulani Islands (inset)

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Figure 3: Detailed map of Vulani Island (Digitized from an aerial photograph taken in 1994)

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ORAL HISTORY This is an oral history of only the places and sites identified to be of significance to the people told by Rt. Apisalome Savu, the chief of the clan. Burenicagi This is a fine open field that extends right to the beach front. Here is where our fore-fathers meet in functions or village gathering. On the other side where the mangroves are, it used to be a garden area where they planted Kumala (sweet potato), Meleni (watermelon), and vainaviu (pineapple). This is all the garden area of my father, Rt. Kolinio Naulago who was the Turaga ni Yavusa at that time. Vulani was acquired and promised to my father by the Gone Turaga na Tui Lau, Rt. Sir Lala Sukuna. Gusuivunaniu This is the mouth of the Sabeto River where the people used to go out and catch fish. As a result of the reclamation, sediments from the mouth of the river have been removed thus causing sedimentation and the entrance of the river to become shallow. Loboni Today, there is a drain and a road that runs through Loboni. This is the place where they extracted salt. Salt making used to be of great wealth to my ancestors. Our fore-fathers erected permanent houses where we, the children accompanying them would go and sleep there. There used to be an eel pond where we would broil them for our food.

Matatabu This is a sacred place and also the home of our ancestral god, Soutu. There used to be a big Dilo tree (Calophyllum inophyllum) growing there where a bundle of Yaqona was places upon in request for fish.

Narewa This is where our fore-fathers planted Vau (Hibiscus tiliaceus) and Voivoi (Pandanus caultivars) for the purpose of house building Vunavutu The first is Vunavutu (place of settlement). Growing there are Vau (Hibiscus tiliaceus), and they also planted Voivoi (Pandanus caultivars) too.

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Tobu ni Duna kei na Luya This is a lake of freshwater which the people used to breed eels and fresh water fish for village consumption. Tobu ni Waidranu (Fresh water pond) This lake of freshwater is very significant since it is being surrounded by salt or sea water. This lake is what has been supporting the needs of the people of Vulani in terms of cooking and life sustaining.